By Wendi Keeler, Penn State
UNIVERSITY PARK – The American Red Cross, Greater Alleghenies Blood Services Region, will hold its third annual Bleed Blue blood drive in partnership with Penn State Athletics from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 14, in the Mt. Nittany Club at Beaver Stadium.
All donors will be entered to win a 2013 Penn State Football Away Game Package, which includes two tickets, airfare and hotel accommodations to the Nittany Lions’ 2013 football game versus Ohio State University in Columbus.
The Dec. 14 blood drive will also include:
— A commemorative T-shirt, courtesy of Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc., for every presenting donor
— A drawing for an official Penn State football autographed by Coach Bill O’Brien
— Food and other refreshments provided by The Corner Room, including Corner Room chili, pulled pork BBQ, meatballs, Greek pasta salad, variety of sandwiches, brownies, cookies and fruit salad
— Live broadcasts from Penn State Sports Network radio affiliates and Forever Broadcasting stations The BUS, Magic 99 and ESPN Radio
— Extended hours at Penn State’s All-Sports Museum.
— Extended hours at the Penn State Bookstore located in the stadium plus a 20 percent off coupon
With the Beaver Stadium blood drive coming less than two weeks before Christmas, a strong donor turnout will help boost blood supplies before the holidays.
“Regardless of the time of year, nationally we must collect approximately 17,000 blood donations every day,” stated John Hagins, CEO, Greater Alleghenies Region. “The need for blood remains constant, throughout the year, but busier schedules, holiday travel and other seasonal activities can leave little time to give blood. Inclement weather can also negatively impact donor turnout.
“Every two seconds, a patient in the United States needs a blood transfusion. Your donation can give a patient another holiday season with loved ones.”
Accident and burn victims, heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease may all need blood products.
Appointments for this blood drive are strongly encouraged. Individuals can make an appointment to donate by clicking the “Make a Blood Donation Appointment” link at www.redcrossblood.org and using Sponsor Code PSU or ZIP code 16801. Donors may also call 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).
Donors may park in the All-Sports Museum lot across from the stadium. Donors enter through the All-Sports Museum to get to the Mt. Nittany Club. Most healthy people ages 17 and older, or 16 with parental consent, who weigh at least 110 pounds, are eligible to donate blood. Donors who are 18 and younger must also meet specific height and weight requirements.
Those with specific eligibility questions should call the Red Cross Donor Client Support Center at 866-236-3276. Many donors are eligible to give blood every 56 days.
Individuals may also follow the Red Cross on Twitter at www.twitter.com/redcrossGAR.
The Greater Alleghenies Region directly serves hospitals, patients and donors in a 100-county area in Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, with more than five-dozen blood products and related services, and also supports blood needs experienced by patients elsewhere in hospitals served through Red Cross Blood Services.